I did test ride one very briefly last year but that one had only 7 miles on it and i was a bit intimidated on riding a brand spanking new £20k bike plus i got caught up in loads of school-run afternoon traffic so go nowhere near riding it like it should be ridden.
This time was different. Bike had been run in, the roads were muhc quieter and i kept to routes i knew.
The modes were all explained to me - Wet=120bhp, Sport=195bhp with a slightly reduced throttle reactiona dn Race is full on 195bhp 'kin 'ell mode.
Anyway after riding away from the dealer in Wet mode, i did turn it up once on an open road but turned it back to Wet mode a few miles later as it just has way to muhc power for road use.
The bike is so planted and agile and even fairly comfortable compared to my 748...and the noise
even on the standard can. it really doesn't need the race can.I did about 60 miles on it on various roads and had the best ride I have had on a sportbike in a long time. The motor does need working a little in 120bhp mode but then i like that ( and its still no slouch by any means) but it is just so easy to ride fast.
Rode back with a huge grin on my face. I was talking to the service manager when he brought my bike round and he asked how i got on with it. I said that the 899 must be epic as has a bit more power than the 120bhp mode but not the silly 195bhp. He reckons the 899 is more agile than the 1199 but with the same stability. Not really muhc more to say than it was just huge fun and it got looks everywhere especially with the noise barking out from the cans.
If you have not ridden one, try and get a test ride just for the experience.
